Verbena plant named `Charmena`

ABSTRACT

A new Verbena plant particularly distinguished by its large cherry-red flower, early flowering, and a vigorous spreading plant habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Verbena,botanically known as Verbena×hybrida. The new cultivar is propagatedfrom cuttings resulting from the cross of W801 and V514. W801 is a DeepRed flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. W801 is not commerciallyavailable and is not known by any synonyms. V514 is a Scarlet floweringVerbena having a semi-erect habit. V514 is not commercially availableand is not known by any synonyms. Neither W801 or V514 has beenpatented. As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in1995 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexuallyreproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, Franceover a two year period. It has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive propagations, and this noveltyappears to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Verbena. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on plants that were18 weeks old, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse. Colorreadings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Colorreferences are primarily to the R.H.S. Color Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Verbena plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawings which show blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 depicts the spreading and hanging habit of the mature plant,while FIG. 2 provides a more detailed depicition of the blooms andfoliage.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Verbena×hybrida.

Parentage:

Female parent.--A seedling named W801 is one of our seedlings from ourW-generation of plants bred in 1994.

Pollen parent.--A seedling named V514 is one of our seedlings from ourV-generation of plants bred in 1993.

Growth habit: Spreading.

Plant height: 15-25 cm.

Spreading area of plant: 80-120 cm.

Strength: Very good.

Branching character: After pinching 6-8 breaks occur.

Blooming period: From April until November.

THE STEM

Diameter: 1.5-2 mm.

Cross section: Tetragonal.

Anthocyan pigmentation: Absent.

Length of internode: 30-80 mm, depending on the light where the plant isgrown. Under high light condition, the length is shorter; under darkconditions, length is longer.

Pubescence: Strong pubescence.

THE FOLIAGE

Phyllotaxis Opposite.

Shape of blade: Cleft to parted.

Length: 25-40 mm.

Width: 18-28 mm.

Depth of incision: 5-15 mm.

Number of incisions: Few (3-6) incisions per leaf.

Color:

Upper side.--Medium green 137A.

Lower side.--Light green 139B.

Pubescence: Some pubescence is present on both sides of the leaf.

Length of petiole: 10-15 mm.

Color of petiole: Medium green 137A.

THE BUD

Peduncle length: 50-100 mm, depending on season.

Size:

Diameter.--2 mm.

Length.--8-12 mm.

Shape: Long.

Color: Medium green 141B.

Sepals:

Colour.--Green 137C.

Form.--Upright.

THE FLOWER

Direction: Ascending.

Diameter: 16-18 mm.

Height: 16-18 mm.

Borne: In a cluster.

Form: Flat and symmetrical.

Cluster: Corymb.

Color: Upper Surface: Cherry-red 53B, later 53D; Lower surface:Cherry-rose 54A.

Eye: No eye.

Overlapping of petals: Separate.

Corymb:

Length.--20-40 mm.

Diameter.--30-40 mm.

Calyx: Length of 10-12 mm.

Anthocyan pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent.

Flowers in bloom at one time: Maximum 18

Duration of flowering:

Flower.--4-6 days.

Inflorescence.--14-21 days.

Fragrance: A very soft rosy-sweet fragrance.

Reproductive organs: 1 pistil, 5 stamens. Stamens not fertile, noseedset.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: Strong resistance to petsand diseases, particularly powdery mildew.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant, substantiallyas herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by large cherry-red blooms, early flowering, and a growing habitthat is spreading and hanging.